The medal is presented to officers who were seriously injured or “displayed exceptional bravery or heroism” while performing enforcement duties, according to news release from the Illinois State Police.

Medals are also awarded posthumously to officers killed in the line of duty.

On Aug. 11, 2013, Mordt and Schmitt shot and killed Russell D. Donahue, 44, a Rockford man who fired a handgun into a home in the 300 block of Springmeadow Drive in Poplar Grove. Donahue climbed through a broken window and threatened to kill the home’s three residents, a woman and her then 7- and 11-year-old daughters.

The Winnebago-Boone County Integrity Task Force investigated the shooting, and Boone County State’s Attorney Michelle Courier ruled the use of deadly force was justified.

Winners are selected annually by the Illinois State Police Medal of Honor committee, which includes Illinois State Police Director Hiram Grau and representatives from state law enforcement agencies. The medal has been given to 358 officers since 1992.